Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Judaic Studies


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Acting Director

Aharona Gazit-Rosenthal

Faculty

Aharona Gazit-Rosenthal
B.A., University of Haifa, 1998; M.A., 2000; Ph.D. University of Maryland, College Park, 2019

Michele I. Osherow
B.A., Carnegie Mellon University, 1988; M.A., University of Maryland, College Park, 1994; Ph.D., 2000

 

Courses in this program are listed under JDST, HEBR, ANCS, HIST, POLI, and RLST.

The Judaic Studies Minor  addresses the interests of students seeking an intellectual examination of the Jewish experience.

The interdisciplinary program provides a curriculum designed to build understandings of Judaism from historical, literary, social, cultural, religious, and philosophical perspectives. The curriculum allows students to organize their studies within several areas of concentration and to tailor the minor to their academic and career interests.

The minor program is structured into six areas of concentration: ancient Judaism, Jewish history: modern and contemporary, Holocaust studies, Judaic literature and language, Jewish religion and philosophy, and modern Israel. A listing of the courses within each area of concentration is available on the Judaic studies Web site (http://www.umbc.edu/judaic) or from the director. For additional information, e-mail arosent1@umbc.edu.

Judaic Studies and Hebrew courses are taught by members of the UMBC faculty and by scholars, researchers, authors, rabbis, and artists from the Greater Baltimore-Washington area.

Career and Academic Paths

Students who minor in Judaic Studies have chosen careers in fields such as archaeology, historical research, education, social work, Jewish communal service, intercultural and international relations. The minor can be a useful adjunct to majors in Africana studies, American studies, ancient studies, history, English, modern languages, linguistics, and intercultural communications, philosophy, political science, psychology, social work, sociology and anthropology. Although a major is not offered by the program, students may design a major course of study focusing on Judaic studies within Individualized Study .

Academic Advising

The program director serves as an academic advisor to students selecting the minor. Students interested in the Judaic Studies Minor  are urged to meet with an academic advisor on a regular basis to discuss their plans and to learn of recent and planned developments in the program and special events.

Evening Offerings

At least one or two courses usually are offered in the evening each semester. However, not all courses are offered on an evening basis.

Student Organizations

The Jewish Student Union and UMBC Hillel are active on the UMBC campus. Neither is formally associated with the Judaic Studies Program.

Special Opportunities

Opportunities for study abroad are available. In some cases, students have spent their freshman year studying in Israel while maintaining enrollment at UMBC. In other cases, students have gone abroad for one or two semesters in their junior year. Study abroad projects also can be arranged for the winter and summer sessions. To ensure the maximum transfer of overseas course credit to UMBC, and to the Judaic Studies Program, prior planning with the office of International Education Services is urged. JDST 400 - Special Study or Project in Judaic Studies (1-3)  provides students the opportunity to extend and apply their knowledge in a research, internship or supervised study experience. The Greater Baltimore-Washington area offers a variety of settings and opportunities for research and internships, including the Jewish Museum of Maryland, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the B’nai B’rith Klutznick Museum in Washington, D.C., and various community research, social service and advocacy agencies in Baltimore such as the Baltimore Jewish Council.

Programs

    Non-Degree

    Courses

      Judaic Studies

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